Device for calculating machines wherein the platen is tapped against the types, to allow for an uniform impression thereof

ABSTRACT

A device for calculating machines, comprising a row of type bars which can be moved in a plane perpendicular to the axis of a paper supporting platen and which can be longitudinally shifted by means associated with a key board and with a setting carriage, when a significant cipher is set in order that such cipher be aligned with a line whereon the typing is to be performed.

United States Patent Barozzi et al.

[ 11 3,891,142 June 24, 1975 DEVICE FOR CALCULATING MACHINES WHEREIN THE PLATEN IS TAPPED AGAINST THE TYPES, TO ALLOW FOR AN UNIFORM IMPRESSION THEREOF Inventors: Gian Piero Barozzi; Giancarlo Horeschi, both of Crema, ltaly Assignee: Citizen Watch Company Limited,

Tokyo, Japan Filed: Dec. 28, 1973 Appl. No.: 429,473

Foreign Application Priority Data Dec. 29, 1972 Italy 33842/72 US. Cl 235/58 P; 235/60, P; 235/6028 Int. Cl G06c 11/04 Field of Search 235/60 P, 58 P, 60.25,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,221,644 12/1965 Gelling 235/6028 3,241,756 3/1966 Schenk 235/6028 3,410,484 11/1968 Baroui et a1..... 235/6028 3,693,871 9/1972 Thevis et al. 235/6028 Primary Examiner-Stephen J. Tomsky Attorney, Agent, or FirmLadas, Parry, Von Gehr,

' Goldsmith & Deschamps 57 ABSTRACT A device for calculating machines, comprising a row of type bars which can be moved in a plane perpendicular to the axis of a paper supporting platen and which can be longitudinally shifted by means associated with a key board and with a setting carriage, when a significant cipher is set in order that such cipher be aligned with a line whereon the typing is to be performed.

5 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures DEVICE FOR CALCULATING MACHINES WHEREIN THE PLATEN IS TAPPED AGAINST THE TYPES, TO ALLOW FOR AN UNIFORM IMPRESSION THEREOF This invention concerns a device for calculating machines, of the kind wherein the types are impressed on a paper band or the like by having the platen tapped against the types, there being a color ribbon interposed between the stationary types and a paper band, supported by the movable platen, whereon the types are to be printed.

According to the invention, said device comprises elastic means, that are designed to exert both a slight pressure on the type bars when no type bar is set for the typing, and a sufficiently countervailing action, owing to the association with supporting means, as e.g. a cross bar or the like, in order to have the outline of each type sharply impressed, when the type bars are set for typing.

Moreover, said countervailing action is similar for each type, whatever the number of types simultaneously set for typing on the same line may be.

As is well known, in the calculating machines of the above stated kind, i.e. wherein the paper supporting platen is tapped against the types, the type bars rest on a stationary component, while being able to slide in a longitudinal direction, or to turn in a plane perpendicular to the platen, for bringing the required type into its operating position, whereupon the platen is tapped thereagainst.

It follows that when the cipher to be typed on the paper consists of one type only, the platen pressure acts on that single type, being thereby excessive, which results in a too intense, and sometimes even blotted impression. Conversely, when the cipher consists of a plurality of types, the platen pressure is distributed thereamong, whereby each type is impressed the fainter, the larger is the number of types of which the cipher is composed, thus leaving a typing which becomes more and more faded as the number of types is' increased until it may even become illegible.

The above drawback is wholly obviated by the device according to this invention, which allows each type, when set in its typing position, to react against the tapping of the platen with a uniform pressure, whatever the number of simultaneous typing types may be, which results in a wholly uniform and always clearly legible typing. 7

The device according to the invention comprises, in a calculating machine of the already known kind, a row of type bars or the like, which can be moved in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the paper supporting platen, and which can be longitudinally shifted by means associated with the keyboard and with the setting carriage, when a significant cipher is set; in order that such cipher be aligned with the line whereon the typing is to be performed.

Said type bars are fitted with means for suppressing the zeros located at the left of the first significant cipher and are associated with elastic means, by which a low pressure load is exerted against the type bars when a suppression motion only is performed by them, whilst a high pressure load is exerted against the selected type bars after they have been set for the typing, performed by tapping the paper supporting platen thereagainst, such load variation of said elastic means caused by a stiff rod or the like which is brought between the type bar loading elastic means in such a manner that the elastic means weighing upon the lifted (suppressed) type bars i.e. those at the left of the first significant cipher are not acted upon by it, while acting conversely upon the notlifted (selected) type bars in order that the elastic means associated therewith can ensure a reaction against the tapping action of the paper supporting platen sufficient for a sharp impression of the whole set cipher. In more detail, said means for the suppression of zeroes that are at the left of the first significant cipher, consist of tongues or the like projecting to each side of the type bars. The tongues on the left side of each bar, extend over, and rest on the tongues on the right side of the adjacent bar, whereby by lifting the first bar at the left end of the row of bars, all bars at the right side thereof are also lifted in their zero positions, while the lifting linkage is interrupted when the first of the bars previously set on a significant cipher is encountered, because the left tongue thereof is no longer placed above the right tongue of the adjacent bar.

Said variable pressure elastic means preferably consist of leaf springs arranged like the teeth of a comb, resting each upon a type bar and formed with a fold, bend or the like such as to allow a rigid rod to come into contact therewith only when the type bars are set with their types in the impressing position, while no action is exerted upon those type bars which have been lifted after the setting of the number.

Thus, according to the invention, a low pressure is exerted by the spring elastic means on the type bars at the left of the first significant cipher, thereby allowing those type bars to be lifted without difficulty or excessive effort by the linkage as established by said tongues, whilst the elastic means associated with all other type bars are retained, at the ends of their bent portions, by the rigid rod which is laid on top of them, thus making each spring able to react-against the tapping of the paper supporting platen with a force sufficient to obtain a sharp-contoured and uniform impression.

The above and further, features of the invention will be disclosed in the following detailed description of an embodiment thereof, shown in the accompanying drawing, both description and drawing being given as a non restrictive example only.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of device according to the invention, of which only the type bars and the means associated therewith are shown and:

FIG. 2 is a side view of means of FIG. 1, completed with further moving means.

Referring now to said figures, the reference numerals 1 to 9 inclusive each denote one type bar of a typical row of type bars of an already known calculating machine, fitted with the conventional setting and calculating means. Each bar bears at its free end a stem 11, made of a suitable plastic, whereon the types from 0 to 9 are conveniently grouped, and which is formed with oppositely projecting tongues, which are denoted by the additional reference characters a for the left tongue, and b for the right tongue, respectively; thus 1a, 1b for the type bar 1; 2a; 2b for the type bar 2 9a, 9b for the type bar 9.

The type bars 1 to 9 inclusive are kept aligned and are guided by a double comb 12, fitted adjacent to the free ends thereof, as well as by a second comb 13 or the like, and are thus allowed to slide in a longitudinal direction under the action of elastic means, as e.g. tension springs of the like, operated by driving mechanisms. I

A lever 14, located below the left tongue 1a of the first type bar 1, is lifted by the machine control means in the course of an'operating cycle.

Moreover, formed in each type bar is a slot 15. A stationary shaft 16 extends transversely with respect to the type bars and passes through all the slots in sliding engagement with the bars. Also formed in each type bar is a further slot 17. The comb 12 passes through all the slots 17 in sliding engagement with the bars. On top of each type bar 1 9 rests a'leaf spring 18, fast with a base 19 and having an arcuately bent upwardly extending free end 20. The leaf springs 18 and the base 19 together form a substantially comb shaped member.

Fast with a lever 22 pivoted at 23, is a rigid ,bar 21, extending crosswise above said springs 18. The end 24 of lever 22 is interposed between the major portion of a lever 26 p'ivoted about the shaft 16, and an arm 25 projecting from the major portion. of the lever 26. Said lever 26 is controlled by a secondarm'27, extending from a pin or the like which is driven by a cam or the like (not shown) to take the'positions 28a, 28b, 28c. Associated with the device is the paper supporting platen 29 which is driven by already known means to bring it into its impression position, indicated by a dash line, wherein it gets engaged across a given length, on the zeros line, with the types 10 of the type bars.

The operation is as follows: the number is set in the conventional mannerby the keys of a keyboard and the components connected therewith, by longitudinally stepping those type bars which are required for forming the number. According to the arrangement as shown in the FIG. 1, the first significant cipher corresponds eg to type bar 5, which is stepped onward. The ciphers corresponding to'bars at the right of the first significant cipher may have any value, including zero. Once the number is set, the calculating machineis started, and the lever '14, located below the tongue 1a of first type bar 1 is lifted. When the typebar, is in its zero position (i.e.' no significant cipher is set thereon), it is lifted by the tongue 1a, turning about the stationary cross shaft 16. Then the type bar 2 is lifted by the tongue 1b engaged with the tongue 2a, the type bar 3 is lifted by the tongue 2b, engaged with the tongue3a, andthe type bar 4 is lifted by the tongue 3b. However the tongue 4b of the latter type bar connot get engaged with the tongue 5a of type bar 5, which was stepped onward for setting the first'cipher other than zero. It follows that the type bars l-2-3-4 only are lifted in the positions as shown by dash lines in the FIG. 2. The type bars 6-7-8 etc. at the right of bar 5 are not similarly lifted because they are not connected with the bar 5, or because, would they be connected therewith, said bar 5 is not operated. T I

The resistance of springs 18 can be easily overcome by the type bars l- 2-3-4 when being lifted, since the springs are fastened to base 19, which is distant from the point 18a where the springs engage the typebars.

' The position 20a, as shown by dash lines in the FIG 2, is taken by the curved end portion 20 of the lifted springs.

At this point of the operating cycle, the bar 21 is shifted into the position as shown by the dash lines 21a, above the bent free ends 20 of those springs 18 which have not already been lifted to the position'20a. This shifting of bar 21 is caused by the pin moving along its course 28a 28b 28c and causing a lifting of arm 27 of lever 26 which lifts the arm 24 of lever 22, rotating the lever about its pivot 23 and shiftingthe bar 21 into the position 21a.

As it can be noticed from the FIGS. 1 and 2, said bar 21, while lying on top-of springs 20 of the bars that are not lifted, extends below the bent end section 20a of springs that have been lifted from the type bars that form no part of the number to be printed.

It follows that, when in the subsequent cycle of operation of machine, the platen 29 is tapped against the type bars to have the ciphers printed on the paper band (not shown) extending therebetween, the not lifted type bars should each react against the knock of said platen, due to action of the free end of the bent spring portion 20 engaging the bar 210, and therefore the type of each bar is impressed on the paper due to the action of its spring 20, whatever the'number of types aligned in their printing position may be.

The arrangement according to the invention, apart from ensuring an uniform impression of each type, also allows to obviate all drawbacks related with changes in the force with which the platen is tapped against the types, which occur in the already known machines, due

to the fact the same reaction is opposed by all types to platen shock, whatever the force thereof may be.

After the platen tapping, the rod 21 is withdrawn from the lever extension 25, and the type bars are allowed to return to their rest position, ready for a further cycle.

While the invention has been described with some detail, with respect to a particular embodiment form thereof, it is to be understood that many changes and modifications may be made therein, above all'from the viewpoint of adaptation of device to calculating machines wherein it is to be fitted, as well also of shape and arrangement of, countervailing springs, and is intended therefore to cover all such changes and modifications in the appended claims.

What we claim is: g Y I 1. A recording device for a calculating machine or the like in which apaper supporting platen is tapped against types, comprising:-

a. a platen for supporting paper;

-b. a plurality of type .carrierseach mounted to be towards the platen is greater than when the resilient member is in a second operative condition thereof; Y

' d. means operative when the resilient members are all in their second operative condition to suppress each cipher to the left of the leftmost significant cipher by displacing the type carriers carrying those ciphers away from the platen against the force of the resilient members associated with those type carriers; and r e. a rigid member movable to a position in which it engages those resilient members which are associated with type carriers carrying the leftmost significant cipher and ciphers to the right thereof to place those resilient members in their first operative condition while leaving the resilient members associated with the type carriers carrying suppressed ciphers in their second operative condition.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means operative to suppress each cipher to the left of the leftmost significant cipher comprise a first tongue secured to each type carrier and extending to the left thereof, a second tongue secured to each type carrier to the left of the rightmost type carrier and extending to the right thereof, and a member arranged to engage the first tongue secured'to the leftmost type carrier when a zero cipher carried by that type carrier is in the impressing position and displace the left-most type carrier away fromthe platen, the second tongue secured to a first type carrier being arranged to engage the first tongue secured to the type carrier to the immediate left thereof when the zero ciphers carried by those type carriers are in the impressing position so that displacement of the first type carrier away from the platen is accompanied by displacement of the type carrier to the immediate left thereof away from the platen.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each said resilient member comprises a leaf spring.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein each leaf spring has one end secured to a common support to form a comb-like member and bears against the type carrier associated therewith at a bearing point between its said one end and its opposite end, the end portion of each leaf spring between said bearing point and said opposite end being bent away from the type carrier, the leaf spring being in its first operative condition when said rigid member engages said end portion and in its second operative condition when said rigid member is out of engagement with said end portion.

5. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein each leaf spring has one free end and an opposite end secured to a common stationary support to form a comb-like member, and said rigid member is arranged to engage said free end of a leaf spring to place that leaf spring in its first operative condition. 

1. A recording device for a calculating machine or the like in which a paper supporting platen is tapped against types, comprising:a. a platen for supporting paper; b. a plurality of type carriers each mounted to be movable stepwise in relation to the platen to set individual ciphers carried by the type carriers in an impressing position relative to the platen, each type carrier being displaceable in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the platen; c. a plurality of resilient members associated respectively with the type carriers and urging the type carriers towards the platen, the resilient members each having a first operative condition in which the force urging the type carrier associated therewith towards the platen is greater than when the resilient member is in a second operative condition thereof; d. means operative when the resilient members are all in their second operative condition to suppress each cipher to the left of the leftmost significant cipher by displacing the type carriers carrying those ciphers away from the platen against the force of the resilient members associated with those type carriers; and e. a rigid member movable to a position in which it engages those resilient members which are associated with type carriers carrying the leftmost significant cipher and ciphers to the right thereof to place those resilient members in their first operative condition while leaving the resilient members associated with the type carriers carrying suppressed ciphers in their second operative condition.
 2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means operative to suppress each cipher to the left of the leftmost significant cipher comprise a first tongue secured to each type carrier and extending to the left thereof, a second tongue secured to each type carrier to the left of the rightmost type carrier and extending to the right thereof, and a member arranged to engage the first tongue secured to the leftmost type carrier when a zero cipher carried by that type carrier is in the impressing position and displace the left-most type carrier away from the platen, the second tongue secured to a first type carrier being arranged to engage the first tongue secured to the type carrier to the immediate left thereof when the zero ciphers carried by those type carriers are in the impressing position so that displacement of the first type carrier away from the platen is accompanied By displacement of the type carrier to the immediate left thereof away from the platen.
 3. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each said resilient member comprises a leaf spring.
 4. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein each leaf spring has one end secured to a common support to form a comb-like member and bears against the type carrier associated therewith at a bearing point between its said one end and its opposite end, the end portion of each leaf spring between said bearing point and said opposite end being bent away from the type carrier, the leaf spring being in its first operative condition when said rigid member engages said end portion and in its second operative condition when said rigid member is out of engagement with said end portion.
 5. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein each leaf spring has one free end and an opposite end secured to a common stationary support to form a comb-like member, and said rigid member is arranged to engage said free end of a leaf spring to place that leaf spring in its first operative condition. 